Automatic system

ABSTRACT

An automatic system in which a device is automatically actuated upon immersion of a water activated switch. Such a system which is energized by a normally inactive battery. Such a system in which the device is a canopy release buckle.

United States Patent 2,480,407 8/1949 Fraser..........................244/148X 3,059,814 10/1962 Ponceletal...

[72] lnventor Jan R. Coyle San Dimas, Calif. (P. O. Box 297, Milford,Utah 84751) 800,486

3,153,395 10/1964 Karp.............. 3,395,640 8/1968Taylor.......................,..

[21] Appl. No. [22] Filed 3,404,439 10/1968 Jones et a1.

Feb. 19, 1969 [45] Patented Mar.2, 1971 3,449,777 6/1969l-lattori.........................

Primary ExaminerMilton Buchler Assistant Examiner-Carl A. RutledgeAttorney-Newton H. Lee, Jr.

[54] AUTOMATIC SYSTEM 9 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs.

[51] Int. [50]Fieldol'Search............................................

ABSTRACT: An automatic system in which a device is automaticallyactuated upon immersion of a water activated switch.

Such a system which is energized by a normally inactive bat tery.

si HM n ,7 .9 1 1 n ,2 7 40 4 1 2 .2 52 82 m 5 .n l v C u m 0.2 n a m (9k 2 m 2 2 1 2 n B Such a system in which the device is a canopy releasebuck-1e.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1945 Alderfer................,......

l-Ieretofore, there has been a need for an automatic operating systemfor effecting various functions inresponse to immersion of a control orswitching means ina conductive liquid. As examples, there has been aneed for personnel survival equipment for use by airmen and others inaircraft which under which there is need for unique operationaldependence between a device to be actuated. and a system forautomatically activating the device.

More particularly, canopy releases or buckles heretofore available havebeen ineffective to enable the release of an airman from his parachuteharness unlessthe airman could 2 manually release the buckle, since thebuckles were not susceptible of automatic operation. Likewise, flotationgear used by airmen or crewmen on navy vessels, as examples, have in allpractical respects required manual operation, since efforts to providean automatic system have been unsuccessful. 2 5

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention obviates the foregoingand other longstanding problems byproviding a unique combination ofadevice capable of automatic operation, a source of electrical potentialto operate the device, and a control switching system which is whollyinsensitive to its environment except upon immersion in a conductiveliquid.

More particularly, the invention also contemplates as a power source awholly inactive battery having,f0r all practical purposes, unlimitedshelf like, with resultant system reliability.

As a specific example of the foregoing, the invention provides a canopyrelease system which includes-complemental buckle parts or fittings, twopair of whichare employed inv securing the usual safety gear to anairmanfs shoulders, such gear involving a parachute pack, and insomeinstances-a survival kit incorporated in a seatlike package. Theinvention contemplates the use of buckles of the type disclosed in mycopending application Ser. No. 800,398, filed concurrently herewith forAUTOMATIC CANOPY RELEASE. The actuation of the buckles is accomplished,for example, by means of a water activated system as disclosed'in mycopending application Ser. No. 752,551, filed Aug. 14, 1968 for LIQUIDAC- TIVATED SYSTEM.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view in perspectiveillustrating an airman in an ejection seat and wearing equipment made inaccordance with the invention 55.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in perspectiveillustrating in greater detailthe application of the invention to the airmans survival equipment; j

FIG. 3, for reference, is atop plan of 'a canopy release buckle adaptedfor operation in accordance with the inven-. 60

FIG. 8 is a detail view in perspective illustrating the locking 70 keyof the buckle of FIGS. 3-6;

FIG. 9 is a detail view in perspective of the unlocking cam thereof; V ai j FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a switch system in accordance withthe invention;

FIG. 11 is a top plan of a thermal battery for use in the invention;

FIG. 12 is a section on the line 12-12 of FIG. 10, the battery beingshown in elevation; and

FIG. 13 is a view like FIG. 12, but showing the firing mechanismfollowing operation thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, theinvention is illustrated in conjunction with an airman seated upon atypical ejection seat S by which the airman may be ejected from anaircraft in the event of emergency. The airman wears aso-called torsoharness 1 which in effect constitutes a jacket worn by the airman towhich a male buckle part 2 of a canopy release or buckle assembly B issecured, the female buckle part 3 being, as best illustrated in FIG. 2,in each case carried by shoulder straps 4 which are a part of aparachute pack assembly 5 adapted to be secured to the airman. Theparachute pack 5 is secured by straps 6 to the usual airmans survivalkit or seat 7 which is secured to the airman by lap harness denoted at8, including male and female buckle parts 2a and 3a which may beconstructed in the same manner as the buckle assemblies B previouslyreferred to. Except for the buckle assemblies previously referred to,the structure thusfar described is conventional, including the provisionof the usual manual parachute rip cord and pull ring designated 9 andthe usual oxygen and communications fittings respectively designated 10and 11.

The survival kit 7 includes provision for emergency oxygen supply by thepulling of a lanyard 12, and internally thereof the seat kit is adaptedto contain certain life support equipment such as a life raft, a signalgenerator and the like. In addition, the airman personally wears aflotation vest as indicated at 13. i

As will be hereinafter described, the buckle parts 2 and 3 and, ifdesired, the buckle parts 2a and 3a, are adapted to be automaticallyseparated in response to the closure of a switch assembly generallydenoted at 14, the source of electrical energy being supplied in theillustrative embodiment from a battery 15 which may be energized by thepulling of a lanyard portion 16 of the oxygen lanyard assembly 12.Electricity is conducted to the buckle sections 3. and 3a from anelectrical conductor cable system designated 17 and 17a whereby uponenergization of the switch assembly 14 the canopy release buckles, aswell as the lap buckles, may be automatically released. In order toenergize the switch assembly 14 electrodes 18 are provided in conductors20 leading from the switch assembly and suitably affixed to the seat kitassembly 7 so as to be immersed in water'when the airman lands in thewater following ejection from an aircraft.

The switch assembly 14 may be more particularly constructed inaccordance with the disclosure of the copending application for US. Pat.Ser. No. 752,551, filed Aug. 14, 1968, and the buckle assemblies may bemore particularly constructed in accordance with the disclosure ofapplication for US. Pat. Ser. No. 722,969, filed Apr. 22, I968 or in thepending application for US. Pat. Ser. No. 800,398, filed concurrentlyherewith. The lap buckle assembly 2a, 3a may be correspondinglyconstructed. The battery is more particularly made in accordance withthe disclosure of application for US. Pat. Ser. No. 800,555, filedconcurrently herewith.

It will be recognized that the canopy release buckles B and the lap.buckle assembly 2a, 3a constitute devices which are uniquelyoperationally dependent upon the switch assembly 14. While a source ofelectricity may be provided from an aircraft or other suitable source,the source is herein illustrated as the battery 15, the batteryenergizing the switch assembly 14 and the switch assembly thereforebeing uniquely operationally dependent on the battery as its source ofelectricity. By the same token, it will be appreciated that otherdevices other than the buckles B or 2a, 3a may be energized in responseto operation of the switch assembly 14, the latter either being chargedfrom the battery 15 or some other suitable source. For example, theflotation vestl3 may be uniquely adapted for inflation in response toclosure of the switch assembly 14. In addition, other devices enclosedwithin the survival kit 7 may be uniquely adapted for combination withthe switch assembly 14 and/or a battery such as the battery 15, wherebysuch devices will be automatically actuated upon immersion in water orupon ejection from the aircraft.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 3 through 9, there isillustrated a buckle construction representative of the buckles B andthe lap buckle assembly 2a, 3a. The buckle assemblies B, as previouslyindicated, include the male part 2 and the female part 3 associated withthe torso harness 1 and the shoulder straps 4, respectively. Each of thebuckle parts 2 and 3 has ears 20 adapted to support a crosspin 21whereby the webbing or harness may be affixed to the respective buckleparts.

Generally speaking, the female buckle part 3 comprises a body 25 havinga recess or cavity 26 adapted to receive a lug or projection 27 on thebody 28 of the male buckle part 2. Slidably supported by the femalebuckle part body 25 is a latch or slide 29 adapted to engage the lug 27to hold the same in the recess 26. As will be more particularlydescribed hereinafter, actuator means generally denoted at 30 areprovided whereby the slide 29 may be manually caused to shift inwardlywith respect to the body 25 so as to release the male lug 27 from therecess 26; and, in addition, automatic means generally denoted at 31 areprovided for effecting operation of the actuator means so that thebuckles maybe released, notwithstanding the inability of the airman topersonally effect operation of the manual means 30.

The female buckle body 25 has a rectangular recess or slide receivingpocket 32 therein adapted to slidably accommodate the slide 29, theslide 29 having a body portion 33 adapted to substantially fill thecavity 32 and a forward angularly disposed face 34 merging with an upperlip portion 35. The face 34 of the slide 29 is adapted to cooperate witha face 36 forming the forward angular surface of the cavity 26 intowhich the male lug 27 extends when the buckle is assembled. The lug 27on the male buckle part 2 extends outwardly and downwardly at an angleso that its rearface 37 is adapted for abutting engagement with the face36 within the female buckle part 3, and the outer face 38 of the lug 27is adapted to be engaged by the angular underface 34 of the slide 29.Extended transversely of the buckle part 2 above the lug 27 is a channel39 defined between an outstanding flange 40 on the buckle part body 28and the upper portion of the lug 27, this channel 39 being adapted toreceive the lip portion 35 of the slide 29, as seen in FIG. 4. In thisconstruction the width of the male lug 27 is such that it will extendlaterally into angularly disposed slots 27a formed at oppositeextremities of the recess 26 whereby to effect engagement of the lug 27with the body 25 to prevent hinging of the body parts. A closure plate41 is adapted to overlie the cavity 32 of the female body section 25 andto be secured in place thereon by suitable fasteners 42 so as to confinethe slide 29 within the female body 25. Means are provided for normallybiasing the latch slide 29 forwardly toward the face 36 and, in theillustrative embodiment, such means includes a coiled compression spring43, an end of which is disposed in a seat 44 formed in the rear wall ofthe female body cavity 32 and acting on the opposing wall of the latchslide 29.

Accordingly, it is apparent that the male buckle part lug 27 is adaptedto be inserted into the female recess 26 against the opposing forceprovided by the spring 43 tending always to bias the latch slideforwardly. Following insertion of the lug 27 the spring 43 forces thelatch slide to a latching position at which its lip 35 is disposed inthe channel or groove 39 and the lug 27 is closely confined in therecess 26, as seen in FIG. 4. In order to release the lug 27 from therecess 26 it is required that the latch slide 29 be actuated rearwardlyor away from the male buckle part 2 by the manual actuator means 30 orthe automatic actuator means 31, these actuator means being soconstructed as to avoid inadvertent operation thereof with resultantinadvertent release of the buckle assemblies.

The manual actuator means 30 is seen to comprise in the illustrativeembodiment a pair of actuator plates respectively designated 50 and 60,these plates being preferably slidably disposed in a recess or cavity 70in the upper surface of the closure plate 41 so as to be flushtherewith. The slide plate 50 has a depending pin 51 extendingdownwardly through an elongated slot 71 in the closure plate 41, theplate 41 having a notch 71a extending laterally from the slot 71 inwhich the pin 51 is adapted to be disposed. Likewise, the plate 60 has adownwardly extended pin 61 disposed in the slot 71 and the latter at oneend has a notch 71b opening laterally in the opposite direction from thenotch 71a. These depending pins 51 and 61 are respectively slidablysupported on transversely extended support rods 52 and 62 which extendtransversely across a cavity or chamber provided in the rear end of thelatch slide 29. Oppositely working springs 81,81 are provided on atleast certain of the pins 51 and 61 so as to normally bias the plates 50and 60 in opposite directions transversely of the buckle body 25. On therespective plates 50 and 60 are oppositely facing lug portions 53 and 63which interengage and overlap a distance greater than either of theplates 50, 60 is capable of moving, but less than the combined motionwhen both plates 50 and 60 are shifted in directions to move the pins 51and 61 from the respective notches 71a, 71b into the elongated slot 71,as is apparent in FIG. 3.

Suitable means are provided for enabling the manual actuation of theplates 50,60 so as to disengage the pins 51, 61 from the notches 71a,71b, whereby thereafter the pins 51 and 61 are free to movelongitudinally of the slot 71 to effect corresponding retraction of thelatch slide 29 whereby to allow removal of the lug 27 from the recess26. lllustratively, each of the plates 50 and 60 is provided with anupstanding finger piece 50a and 60a whereby the plates 50 and 60 may bemanually shifted as aforesaid if it is desired that the buckle assemblyB be manually opened. However, if the buckle assembly is to be operatedin an automatic mode, then it is necessary that the same relative motionof the pins 51 and 61 be accomplished automatically. In the illustrativeembodiment the automatic actuator means 31 is adapted to effect suchmotion ofthe pins 51 and 61.

In the illustrative construction the automatic actuator means includes acam plate having arms 91 and 92 shiftably disposed in channels or ways93 and 94 in the hollow female body 25. This cam plate 90 includes afirst camming surface 95 adapted to engage a downward extension 95a onthe pin 51 and a second camming surface 96 adapted to engage a downwardextension 96a extending downwardly from the pin 61. When the cam slideis moved from a retracted position to a projected position, as willhereinafter be described, the cam surfaces 95 and 96 effect movement ofthe pins 51 and 61 from the notches 71a and 71b, and, thereafter,further projection of the cam plate 90 will effect retraction of thelatch slide 29.

Means are provided to effect operation of the cam plate 90. In theillustrative embodiment the cam plate 90 is provided with a pyrotechnicdevice generally denoted at 102 disposed in a chamber 103 in therespective arms 91 and 92 of the cam plate 90. This pyrotechnic deviceis adapted to be fired in response to the application of electricalcurrent to leads 104, as seen in FIG. 4, which leads it will beappreciated are adapted to be incorporated in the conductor cableassembly 17 previously referred to leading from the switch assembly 14to the female buckle part 3 and also leading to the female buckle part3a of the lap buckle assembly. Preferably, the pyrotechnic devices 102,which are redundant in the illustrative embodiment since either of themis capable of effecting the desired movement of the cam plate 90, are soconstructed as to prevent reverse movement of the latch slide 29 as iswellknown in the art of pyrotechnic devices useful herein.

In order to eliminate the possibility of camming action by the coengagedsurfaces of the lug 27 and the recess 26 in response to axial straintending to separate the buckle assembly, the buckle includes a key 105which, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 7, is so constructed as to extendtransversely of the lug 27, being-connected thereto by a lost-motionconnection including a slot 106 and a pin 107. The key 105 is adapted tofit in a transversely extended groove 108 provided in the base wall 36of the recess 26. At its upper end region the key 105 is provided with atransversely extended groove 109 formed by an overhanging lip 110provided with an inwardly extended portion 111 formed on a radius. Thislip 110, and

more particularly the radius portion 111, cooperates with a lip 112formed on the slide plate 29 and providing a radius 113. The radius 113and the radius 111 cooperate upon sliding movement of the latch plate 29to a latched position to effectively move the key slightly in the groove108, as permitted by the lost-motion connection previously described.

It will be understood that the buckle just described, the details andmode of operation of which are more fully described and illustrated inthe above-mentioned pending applications, may be employed both as theparachute canopy release buckle B and the lap buckle 2a, 3a and thatenergization of the circuit including the conductor leads 104 willeffect conductor 201 is a branch conductor 204 and another branchconductor 205 which leads to a ground conductor 206. ,In the conductor205 is a capacitor C. lnterposed between the conductor 204 and one ofthe load conductors 104 which lead to the pyrotechnic devices for thebuckles B, as previously described, is a normally open switch 207. Oneof the load conductors 104 leads to the ground conductor 206. A coilwinding 208 of a relay generally denoted at 209 is connected to theconductor 206 and to one of a pair of conductors a which lead to theelectrodes 20 previously described, the other of a pair of conductors200 being connected to the capacitor C.

In this system it will be'noted that the capacitor .C'will be chargedupon energization of the sourcev 200 from, for example, the battery 15,but the normally open switch 207 prevents energization of the loadcircuit 104- until such time as the electrodes 20 are immersed in aconductive fluid, whereby to complete the circuit from the capacitor Cto the coil winding 208 of the relay 209, thereby closing the switch 207At this time the capacitor C willenergize the load circuit 104, firingthe pyrotechnic devices in the buckle B or 2a, 3a as the'case may be, oreffecting the operation of such other device as may be combined with theswitch of FIG. 10.

Referring to FIGS. 11 through 13, the battery assembly 15 is moreparticularly illustrated. This battery includes a so-called thermalbattery base 300 having terminals at 301 adapted for connection incircuit with the switch system of FIG. 10. This thermal battery is ofthe type adapted to generate electric potential responsive to the firingof a percussion cap 302. This percussion cap 302 is formed as part of afiring mechanism support including a base wall 303 and upstandingsidewalls 304, the percussion cap 302 being united with the base wall303 and the latter being suitably affixed to the upper surface of thethermal battery 300. Extended between the sidewalls 304 is a pivot pin305 on'which is pivotally mounted a striker arm 306 having a strikerhead 307 thereon. Acoiled compression spring 309 is disposed about thepivot pin 305 and normally acts on the striker arm 306 to force the sametoward the percussion cap 302. Retainer means are provided for normallyholding the firing arm 306 in a cocked condition, this means beingillustrated in the form of a pin 310 extending through aligned openingsin the sidewalls 304. In the practical utilization of the presentinvention, the retainerp in 310 is adapted to be connected to thelanyard portion l6 so-that upon ejection from the aircraft the firingarm 306 .will be released for forceful engagement with the firing cap302. Such firing of the cap 302 will effect energization of thecapacitor C of the switching system of FIG. 10.

Following energization of the capacitor C the same will remain energizedfor a substantial period of time until the relay 209 is energized toclose the switch 207, when the electrodes 20 on the airmans survival kitor in some other convenient location are immersed in a body of watersuch as the .ocean. At this time the pyrotechnic devices 102 will beactivated or fired effecting release of the buckles B and, if desired,the lap buckle 2a, 3a. in addition, it will be recognized that otherdevices may be uniquely operationally dependent upon the immersion ofthe electrodes 20 following charging of the otherwise passive switchsystem of FIG. 10.

While the specific details of an illustrative embodiment of theinvention have been herein shown and described, changes and alterationsmay be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. An automatic buckle release system comprising: buckle means includingat least one buckle having interfitting male and female parts, latchmeans for releasably holding said parts together and shiftable torelease said parts, lock means for releasably holding said latch means,actuator means for releasing said lock means to allow release of saidlatch means, said actuator means including electrically operated means,means for energizing said electrically operated means including acapacitor source of stored electrical energy, means for initiallycharging said capacitor source, and water activated normally open switchmeans electrically isolating said capacitor source from saidelectrically operated means and including a pair of electrodes forclosing said switch means and connecting said source to saidelectrically operated means upon immersion of said electrodes in a bodyof water.

2. An automatic buckle release as defined in claim 1, including thermalbattery means connected to said capacitor source for initially chargingsaid capacitor source upon activation of said thermal battery means.

3. Anautomatic buckle release system as defined in claim 1, wherein saidbuckle means includes a plurality of said buckles,

. and circuit means connecting said electrically operated means of eachof said buckles to said source.

4. A canopy release system to automatically release an airman from aparachute comprising: harness means adapted to be worn by the airman andhaving a first pair of buckle parts carriedthereby, a parachute packincluding a harness having a second pair of buckle parts carried therebyand cooperable with said first pair of buckle parts to releasablyconnect the airman with the parachute, said buckles each havingreleasable latch means for holding the same connected, electricallyoperated means for releasing said latch means, means for energizing saidelectrically operable means including a capacitor source of storedelectrical energy, normally open switch means interposed between saidsource and said electrically operable means and electrically isolatingsaid capacitor source from said electrically operable means, and meansfor closing said switch means to release said latch means.

5. A canopy release system as defined in claim 4, wherein said means forclosing said switch means includes a pair of electrodes, and switchclosing means energized responsive to immersion of said electrodes inwater.

6. A canopy release system as defined in claim 4, including meansforming a seat for the airman and connected to said parachute pack, saidmeans for closing said switch means including a pair of electrodescarried by said means forming a seat, and switch closing means energizedresponsive to immersion of said electrodes in water. I

7. A canopy release system as defined in claim 41, including meansforming a seat for the airman and connected to said parachute pack, saidmeans for energizing said electrically operable means being carried bysaid means forming a seat.

means associated with said battery means.

9. A canopy release system as defined in claim 8, wherein said thermalbattery means includes removable means for preventing operation of saidpercussion producing means, and including lanyard means for removingsaid removable means.

1. An automatic buckle release system comprising: buckle means includingat least one buckle having interfitting male and female parts, latchmeans for releasably holding said parts together and shiftable torelease said parts, lock means for releasably holding said latch means,actuator means for releasing said lock means to allow release of saidlatch means, said actuator means including electrically operated means,means for energizing said electrically operated means including acapacitor source of stored electrical energy, means for initiallycharging said capacitor source, and water activated normally open switchmeans electrically isolating said capacitor source from saidelectrically operated means and including a pair of electrodes forclosing said switch means and connecting said source to saidelectrically operated means upon immersion of said electrodes in a bodyof water.
 2. An automatic buckle release as defined in claim 1,including thermaL battery means connected to said capacitor source forinitially charging said capacitor source upon activation of said thermalbattery means.
 3. An automatic buckle release system as defined in claim1, wherein said buckle means includes a plurality of said buckles, andcircuit means connecting said electrically operated means of each ofsaid buckles to said source.
 4. A canopy release system to automaticallyrelease an airman from a parachute comprising: harness means adapted tobe worn by the airman and having a first pair of buckle parts carriedthereby, a parachute pack including a harness having a second pair ofbuckle parts carried thereby and cooperable with said first pair ofbuckle parts to releasably connect the airman with the parachute, saidbuckles each having releasable latch means for holding the sameconnected, electrically operated means for releasing said latch means,means for energizing said electrically operable means including acapacitor source of stored electrical energy, normally open switch meansinterposed between said source and said electrically operable means andelectrically isolating said capacitor source from said electricallyoperable means, and means for closing said switch means to release saidlatch means.
 5. A canopy release system as defined in claim 4, whereinsaid means for closing said switch means includes a pair of electrodes,and switch closing means energized responsive to immersion of saidelectrodes in water.
 6. A canopy release system as defined in claim 4,including means forming a seat for the airman and connected to saidparachute pack, said means for closing said switch means including apair of electrodes carried by said means forming a seat, and switchclosing means energized responsive to immersion of said electrodes inwater.
 7. A canopy release system as defined in claim 4, including meansforming a seat for the airman and connected to said parachute pack, saidmeans for energizing said electrically operable means being carried bysaid means forming a seat.
 8. A canopy release system as defined inclaim 4, including means forming a seat for the airman and connected tosaid parachute pack, thermal battery means carried by said means forminga seat and connected to said capacitor source to charge the latter, saidthermal battery means being normally inactive and being responsive topercussion to produce a charge of electricity, and including percussionproducing means associated with said battery means.
 9. A canopy releasesystem as defined in claim 8, wherein said thermal battery meansincludes removable means for preventing operation of said percussionproducing means, and including lanyard means for removing said removablemeans.